newsmakers

He’s rock royalty and likes to keep it old-school: Keith Richards says he doesn’t own an iPod.

The Rolling Stones guitarist says he isn’t a fan of the ultra-popular music device.

“I don’t have an iPod. ... I still use CDs or records actually. Sometimes cassettes. It has much better sound; a much better sound than digital,” he said in a recent interview.

The 69-year-old believes music lovers are “all being shortchanged” with the sound that comes out of an iPod, launched in 2001.

Utah NBC affiliate pulls gory ‘Hannibal’

SALT LAKE CITY

A Mormon church-owned NBC affiliate in Utah has pulled the “Hannibal” TV show because of its graphic violence.

KSL-TV vice president of marketing Tami Ostmark says the show’s first three episodes were “extremely gory” and drew complaints from many viewers. She says it wasn’t the type of show the station wanted leading into its 10 p.m. newscast.

Utah residents still will be able to watch the show: The ABC affiliate is picking it up and will air it late Saturday.

This isn’t the first time KSL-TV has opted not to air a popular NBC show. In the fall of 2012, the station announced it wouldn’t air “The New Normal,” a sitcom about a gay couple who invites a surrogate mother into their home.

The station is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Furthur cancels show after Bob Weir fall

NEW YORK

Furthur is canceling a tour date after guitarist Bob Weir fell onstage at a concert last week.

Weir said on his website Tuesday that the Grateful Dead offshoot is “unable to perform for the next several weeks ... due to unforeseen circumstances.” They were scheduled to play next Thursday in Napa, Calif.

Weir was quickly helped off the floor after collapsing onstage at a concert last week in Port Chester, N.Y.

The statement adds that the 65-year-old Weir plans to hit the road in late June for solo shows.

Weir formed Furthur with fellow Grateful Dead member Phil Lesh. Furthur’s summer tour kicks off July 11 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

O Music Awards set to return June 19

NEW YORK

More than 50 bands will help keep the party rolling for 24 hours during the O Music Awards.

The show put on by MTV, VH1 and CMT that celebrates music and counter culture will return June 19 with a 24-hour livestream event that will celebrate live music.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will kick off 24 hours of live music by starting a drum-a-thon and artists will perform around the country. Awards in categories such as next big scene, digital genius and best Web-born artist will be given out, and the festivities will splash across the three television networks as well.

The networks also will launch a “Make a Band Famous” opportunity through their artist platforms, beginning Wednesday.

Voting starts May 16 when a complete list of categories and nominees will be released.